Adayar becomes first Derby winner to be rated world's best since Sea The Stars

There might not have been a standout performer this season, but with seven individual horses running to Racing Post Ratings of 125 or above – matching the total from 2020 and one more than in 2016 and 2018 – there was still strength in depth from the three-year-olds and older horses.

Things were tight at the top since midsummer, when Adayar followed up his Derby win with a convincing defeat of Mishriff in the King George, a performance that rates the best in the world this year with an RPR of 129. Although Adayar had only four rivals to beat at Ascot, Mishriff did plenty for the form with his demolition job in the Juddmonte International, while Adayar ran a lot better than the bare form when fourth in the Arc.

Adayar is the first Derby winner to top the European rankings since Golden Horn in 2015 and the first to lead the world since Sea The Stars in 2009.